Percutaneous connector
AssigneeCochlear Pty. Ltd.
InventorJanusz Kuzma
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A connector set for percutaneous connection of an implanted device, such as an intracochlear implant, to an external system is disclosed. The connector set preferably has a base portion (30) which is adapted to be affixed to the bone structure beneath the skin and includes a male connector (1C), and a female connection (31) which is mated with and affixed externally to the male connector and is retained in contact therewith magnetically. A bias arrangement (9, 10) operates between the connector components (30, 31) so that while contact therebetween is normally firm, accidental disconnection carries a reduced risk of injury to a user.
Claims13
A base for a percutaneous connector set, said base being adapted to be implanted beneath a skin surface and to extend above the skin so as to provide electrical connection to an implanted device,
- said base comprising a lower flange and having a lower side, said lower flange having a generally smooth surface which is continuous and essentially imperforate throughout its expanse, said lower flange further being adapted to be operatively positioned beneath the skin surface and including means adapted to affix said base to a bone structure beneath the skin, a waist portion adapted to be operatively positioned so as to form the junction between the device and the skin surface, said waist portion having a smaller cross-sectional area than said lower flange, and an upper flange having a greater cross-sectional area than said waist portion, so as to operatively overlie and protect the skin surface abutting the waist portion, and a connector part above said upper flange.
A percutaneous connector set comprising a base and an external part, said base being adapted to be implanted beneath a skin surface and to extend above the skin so as to provide electrical connection to an implanted device,
- said base comprising a lower flange and having a lower side, said lower flange having a generally smooth surface which is continuous and essentially imperforate throughout its expanse, said lower flange further being adapted to be operatively positioned beneath the skin surface and including means adapted to affix said base to a bone structure beneath the skin, a waist portion adapted to be operatively positioned so as to form the junction between the device and the skin surface, said waist portion having a smaller cross-sectional area than said lower flange, and an upper flange having a greater cross-sectional area than said waist portion, so as to operatively overlie and protect the skin surface abutting the waist portion, and a connector part above said upper flange;
- said external part comprising a second connector adapted to mate with said connector part.
A base for a percutaneous connector set, said base being adapted to be implanted beneath a skin surface and to extend above the skin so as to provide electrical connection to an implanted device,
- said base comprising a lower flange, said lower flange having a generally smooth surface which is continuous and essentially imperforate throughout its expanse, said lower flange further being adapted to be operatively positioned beneath the skin surface, a screw extending through said lower flange and adapted to affix said base to a bone structure beneath the skin, a waist portion adapted to be operatively positioned so as to form the junction between the device and the skin surface, said waist portion having a smaller cross-sectional area than said lower flange, and an upper flange having a greater cross-sectional area than said waist portion, so as to operatively overlie and protect the skin surface abutting the waist portion, and a connector part above said upper flange.
A percutaneous connector set comprising a base and an external part, said base being adapted to be implanted beneath a skin surface and to extend above the skin so as to provide electrical connection to an implanted device,
- said base comprising a lower flange, said lower flange having a generally smooth surface which is continuous and essentially imperforate throughout its expanse, said lower flange further being adapted to be operatively positioned beneath the skin surface, a screw extending through said lower flange and adapted to affix said base to a bone structure beneath the skin, a waist portion adapted to be operatively positioned so as to form the junction between the device and the skin surface, said waist portion having a smaller cross-sectional area than said lower flange, and an upper flange having a greater cross-sectional area than said waist portion, so as to operatively overlie and protect the skin surface abutting the waist portion, and a connector part above said upper flange;
- said external part comprising a second connector adapted to mate with said connector part.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.